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Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington reveals he is having treatment for skin cancer

Padraig Harrington has revealed he has undergone treatment for skin cancer.

Last Updated: 21/02/14 12:23pm

Padraig Harrington: Reveals treatment for skin cancer

The three-time major winner, whose father Patrick died from cancer, underwent surgery for 'sun spots' and he has spoken out in a bid to raise awareness of the disease.

Of his own battle, he said: "I've had a number of skin cancers removed off my face. When you get a symptom don't ignore it. Do something about it."

Harrington withdrew from the 2005 Open at St Andrews after his father died from oesophageal cancer and he is the patron of the Oesophageal Cancer Fund Ireland.

Treatment

He continued: "Dealing with cancer is not what it was 10 years ago. Instead of just one treatment they are now looking at combining different types of treatment of dealing with oesophageal cancer.

"Everybody responds differently to treatment and ways of treating cancer are moving on. I see that when I travel the world. It is easier to clear these things up at the start rather than waiting until there is a problem. You can get treated and go on to live a much longer life.

"My father had symptoms but didn't do anything about it. It's the nature of men in Ireland and certainly older men. I would be much more inclined to go and do something about it.

"If I get a pain I go and get it checked out. It's a little bit of hardship (going to the doctor) but you will feel much better afterwards."